President Ma Ying-jeou met on the afternoon of December 3 with a delegation led by Republic of Nauru President Baron Divavesi Waqa and Mrs. Waqa. In addition to welcoming the delegation to Taiwan, President Ma also called for continued strengthening of interaction and cooperation between the two countries.
In remarks, the president first commented that President Waqa is a good friend to the ROC and has for many years strongly supported Taiwan. President Ma said that he was extremely pleased to meet again with his counterpart from Nauru.
Commenting on bilateral cooperation, President Ma noted that Nauru and the ROC have consistently maintained a close friendship. He pointed out that four years ago he visited Nauru and unveiled the 360 Project to help Nauru develop output of six types of agricultural products, such as vegetables, eggs, and fruits, over a three-year period. The project's import substitution objective was achieved two years ago, he said. The ROC has also provided a nutritious lunch initiative for schoolchildren in Nauru, enabling children in that country to eat more vegetables and eggs, and enjoy a more balanced diet. This is helping to improve the health of the younger generation there, the president stated.
In the area of clean energy, President Ma stated, the ROC expanded the Light from Taiwan project to include Nauru in 2010. In addition to providing 3,200 solar-powered mini lamps, the ROC has also helped Nauru procure 155 solar-powered streetlamps, which has considerably improved road safety. Also, the president pointed out, at the end of May this year, solar-powered lighting projects were completed at eight elementary schools in Nauru to prevent power disruptions from impacting the learning environment for students. Meanwhile, a switch to energy-saving light fixtures throughout the nation, which began two years ago, was completed in October of this year, he remarked.
As for cooperation in health care, President Ma noted, Taichung Veterans General Hospital and Nauru's Ministry of Health launched the Taiwan Medical Program to Nauru in September 2012. Medical specialists dispatched to Nauru during the start-up phase only went for short-term stays, but the ROC has gradually expanded the program to include long-term service, he said, and their services have been well-received. The president further stated that Taichung Veterans General Hospital and Nauru last week signed an agreement on the transfer of patients requiring medical care, which will effectively enhance the health of the people of Nauru.
To train medical talent from Nauru, said the president, the ROC continues to provide workshops for medical personnel from Nauru, and last year I-Shou University in Kaohsiung established its School of Medicine for International Students, providing an opportunity for 40 students from diplomatic allies to study medicine. President Ma asked President Waqa to encourage outstanding students from his nation to apply to enter that program, as this would further deepen the cooperative relationship in medicine between the two countries.
As for training in other fields, President Ma noted, since 2006 Nauru has sent a total of 53 officials to Taiwan to take part in workshops and seminars, and 32 students have studied here under the Taiwan Scholarship program. The president noted that President Waqa's son received a Taiwan Scholarship and has already completed his studies and returned home, while President Waqa's daughter is now studying on a Taiwan Scholarship at the Language Center at Fu Jen Catholic University.
President Ma also thanked Nauru for supporting the ROC's participation in international organizations and speaking on behalf of the ROC in international venues. The president stated that Nauru Minister for Health, Transport, Sports and Fisheries Valdon Dowiyogo on July 29 of this year sent a letter to the secretary general of the International Civil Aviation Organization in support of observer status for Taiwan in that organization and its related conferences, mechanisms, and activities. President Waqa also spoke in support of the ROC in a dialogue conference on August 1 after the Pacific Islands Forum, and on September 25 at the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly. In addition, Nauru Minister for Commerce, Industry and Environment Aaron Cook on October 16 sent a letter to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), urging that the ROC Executive Yuan's Environmental Protection Administration be allowed to take part in the mechanism as an observer.
Even though the ROC has been unable to participate in the UNFCCC and other international organizations and activities since losing its seat at the United Nations in 1971, said President Ma, the ROC is still working to conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions, and has made considerable achievements. The president noted that on December 10 this year, President Waqa will personally attend the UNFCCC's joint high-level segment of COP 20 and CMP 10, and he called on his counterpart to continue supporting Taiwan's participation in this organization and conference, as they have a huge impact on the future of mankind.
Lastly, President Ma expressed his best wishes for a productive visit to Taiwan for President Waqa, and for a lasting alliance between the two countries.
The delegation also included Republic of Nauru Minister for Health, Transport, Sports and Fisheries Dowiyogo, Chief Secretary Bernard Grundler, Counsel to the President Peter Jacob, Chairman Isaac Aremwa of the Nauru Port Authority, and Secretary for Sports Rayong Itsimaera.